Connecting communities through soccer

After moving from South Korea to Toronto in 2002, Seokhoon realized soccer could provide him with new opportunities to meet like-minded people. It was this insight that led him to create STADIUM – an initiative that organizes pick-up soccer games around Toronto, geared towards Canadian newcomers – for his two-year entrepreneurship capstone project at the Ted Rogers School of Management.

Since launching in February 2017, STADIUM has brought together over 1,000 participants for more than 120 events around the city, transforming soccer lovers from strangers into friends. Within three years, STADIUM hopes to have free soccer programs for kids at 31 underserved communities across Toronto.

Seokhoon credits his professors for providing him with the insight and business acumen needed to bring STADIUM to life. By combining his love for soccer with the resources provided by the Social Ventures Zone and iBoost Zone, external link – 2 of Ryerson's 10 learning zones where students incubate ideas, projects and startups – Seokhoon enabled soccer players around the city to connect under a common cause.

At Ryerson, students are able to get closer to the support they need to turn their ideas for community engagement into a reality.

Located in Toronto’s downtown core, Ryerson University offers full-time and part-time undergraduate and graduate programs, innovative learning opportunities, and a diverse and welcoming campus community.